Virus King - Chapter 240

Chapter 240: The River-Swallowing Toad! The Barrier of Strength!

TL: YYang

A level 89 secret realm dungeon.

At this level, one could only say it lived up to the name of Mount Shu.

Level 89 was already the pinnacle of strength for an Emperor-tier existence.

At this level, within the myriad worlds, such individuals were undeniably peerless. A being of this caliber would command respect in any world.

In his previous life, throughout the long years, secret realm dungeons reaching this level were exceedingly rare.

Yet here in Mount Shu, this Demon-Sealing Pagoda had astonishingly achieved such a level.

Even more peculiar was that the level range of the Demon-Sealing Pagoda started from as low as level 10.

Sure enough, the rigorous entry requirements of Mount Shu naturally hinted at the immense benefits it offered.

Secret realm dungeons—each one represented unimaginable wealth!

The reason Qionghai City had left such a profound impression on Chen Bai in his past life, and why it had been so prosperous, was precisely due to the sheer number of secret realm dungeons around it. Their density was the highest in the entire Dragon Nation!

As of now, Chen Bai already knew of four secret realms near Qionghai City:

– The Old Sewer
– The Plague Sewer
– The Demon Village, located relatively farther away
– The Cooling Furnace inside Jiangcheng University.

These secret realms spanned high-level to low-level, offering a wide variety.

The resources gained from these dungeons and the strength they allowed local evolvers to attain were unparalleled. The differences in power were clear.

These secret realm dungeons were treasures of the future.

And here in Mount Shu, from the sound of it, this was clearly another gathering place for large-scale secret realms.

Moreover, the rewards and drops within these realms were exceptional!

Chen Bai quickly realized that Mount Shu could serve as a unique resource for Group Chat No. 001, offering its members rapid growth opportunities. Access to these realms would allow their strength to skyrocket.

However, Mount Shu did not belong to him, and Chen Bai had no intention of claiming it. Balanced development remained his strategic goal.

Besides, while Mount Shu was impressive, it could not compare to the Abyss, a boundless treasure trove.

With this thought, Chen Bai exhaled deeply and joined the group as they entered the Demon-Sealing Pagoda.

…

A flash of light later, the dozen or so figures vanished from the entrance of the pagoda.

In their place lay a dim, shadowy world.

From the outside, the first level of the Demon-Sealing Pagoda appeared to be only a few thousand square meters—smaller than some large warehouses.

However, upon stepping inside, Chen Bai realized how utterly vast it was.

This world stretched endlessly.

Chen Bai extended a hand behind him, brushing against an invisible barrier. He understood immediately that special spatial laws were at work here.

“Lord Bai, the creatures inside the Demon-Sealing Pagoda are all BOSS-level units. Each BOSS has its own territory. Whether or not there are smaller demons within these territories depends on the specific area. To clear this first level, we need only defeat the guardian demon!” Ma Er eagerly explained nearby.

His words earned an annoyed glare from Xiang Yang and others beside him.

“Did you even need to say that? It’s written on the entrance tablet! Let’s go. Now that Lord Bai is here, we’ll make those damned demons pay in blood!”

Judging from the earnest expressions of the group behind him, Chen Bai suspected that the members of Group Chat No. 001 had likely endured significant hardship in this Demon-Sealing Pagoda over the past few days.

Before long, Chen Bai finally saw the creature they had mentioned—that damned stinking toad.

It was an enormous, two-zhang-tall green toad! (1 zhang = 3.3 meters)

Although the Demon-Sealing Pagoda boasted impressive levels, it evidently could not surpass the rules of Cosmic Will. Under its laws, secret realm creatures could resurrect repeatedly as a standard.

Chen Bai’s Eye of Secrets immediately provided him with feedback:

…

[River-Swallowing Toad (Level 15—BOSS)]

[Description: A demon subdued within the Demon-Sealing Pagoda. It possesses an extremely robust body and tongue, as well as water-control techniques. Its weaknesses include slow movement and vulnerabilities to fire and lightning.]

[Attributes: Omitted]

[Skills: Giant Tongue Lash, Water Manipulation, Mountain-Crushing Leap]

…

As soon as this colossal toad’s information appeared, it opened its eyes, its yellow pupils immediately locking onto the group!

Chen Bai did not rush to attack. Instead, he studied the massive toad with interest glimmering in his eyes.

Based on his experience, the larger the creature’s body, the more evolution points the Darklight Virus would devour and refine.

“Big toad, Grandpa’s back again! Lord Bai, no need to trouble yourself with this appetizer—leave it to us brothers! Longworm, come on!” Ma Er roared, clearly indicating that they had some “history” with the toad.

Chang Liu, standing nearby, rolled his eyes at the nickname Ma Er used for him but refrained from saying anything. The white snake tattoo on his body seemed to come alive at that very moment.

“Decree!”

With a loud shout, the phantom of a white snake shot forth, instantly paralyzing the massive River-Swallowing Toad. Ma Er followed up by extending his palm, a burst of lightning erupting with a deafening crack.

The thunderclap rang out as the lightning element, one of the most violent forces of attack in the world, surged forward. Clearly, the Thunder Strider Profession Transfer Scroll was no ordinary item.

Chen Bai did not intervene. He was indeed curious about the combat abilities of the members of Group Chat No. 001.

So far, even with just a few techniques displayed, he could already discern a degree of extraordinary skill.

Ma Er’s power as a Saint of Thunder was impressive enough, but it was his old friend from his past life, Chang Liu, who truly caught his attention.

Chen Bai could tell that Chang Liu had yet to fully recover from recent injuries. However, each level-up for an evolver significantly healed their injuries, so his current state likely stemmed from some residual issues incurred during a recent profession transfer.

Nonetheless, the result was worth it.

At this moment, Chang Liu’s abilities caused Chen Bai’s eyes to light up.

Junior Heavenly Official.

Though the profession’s name included “junior,” its power ranked near the top of S-Rank professions.

Just one sealing decree allowed Chang Liu, at level 11, to significantly hinder a level 15 BOSS. That was without even tapping into abilities that synergized with his innate talents—such as summoning members of the Liu Immortal Lineage to possess him.

However, if a level 15 BOSS were so easily subdued, the members of Group Chat No. 001 wouldn’t have suffered so much against it previously.

The next moment, just as another lightning strike was about to land, the River-Swallowing Toad straightened up abruptly. A massive surge of water burst forth from its mouth, transforming into a torrential wave.

The wave sped toward the group with immense force, arriving in an instant.

Chen Bai, however, remained silent, unmoving. Shui Chuan, wearing black-framed glasses, stepped forward. As he did, the wave’s leading edge slowed visibly, its flow decelerating to a crawl.

The Ghost Sailor, a maritime voyager who wielded the power of water and the undead, had entered the fray.

Immediately after, the rest of the group joined the battle.

Puppet constructs, martial souls, Daoist talismans…

Like the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, each member showcased their unique abilities.

Yet Chen Bai found himself somewhat resigned.

For the first time, he felt as though there was now a thick barrier separating him from these evolvers who had already ascended to the cutting edge of their kind.

This barrier seemed even thicker than the one that separated him from Elder Zhou or Run Tu. Damn it, far thicker.

(if anyone is wondering, Qionghai City is the name of Song Ziqiong’s city in his past life)

Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea – reference to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight_Immortals